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Servo City New ‘Open Loop’ Pan Tilt Head for Video

[Update] This is a new OPEN LOOP system that is not yet available. NOT CLOSED LOOP. Sorry, for the confusion.

New Motorized Pan & Tilt head from Servo City. I used these guys to pick up some parts for the DIY motorized Juicedlink Slider project (here), and at the time they didn't have quite the Pan & Tilt head available for the end of a Jib / Crane. After discussing with them what I was looking for, they mentioned they were working on a new 'Open Loop' system that would allow me to operate the camera through the joystick control.

So here it is. It's a new Pan & Tilt 'Open Loop' system with Joystick control. Construction is top notch, and I don't know of a cheaper system out there. The product is not yet available, but it will be in a few weeks at ServoCity.com (Click Here).

45 thoughts on “Servo City New ‘Open Loop’ Pan Tilt Head for Video”

@Craig - I have only some information, and it sounds like this controller is already designed for future upgrades. There's an AUX port on the controller right now that's not being used with the head unit. That's all I know at this point.

@Craig - I don't know if wrapping CAT6 cable continuously on a short drum would be a good idea, and I couldn't tell you if 20m of CAT6 cable would work. I would email servo city and ask them. They would know how much power the head requires and if the long cable would cause too much resistance through that length.

Craig,
You will actually need the controller that comes with the MPT1100-SS pan and tilt if you would like to run it wirelessly. Your R/C receiver will replace the PWM board inside of the control box and simply plug into the main control board. You will probably want to use a 12V battery inplace of the power supply in order to achieve full wireless control. The main control board will feed 5VDC to your receiver negating any need for a second battery. At that point you will have full control over the pan and tilt via your wireless transmitter.

The PT785-S is a closed loop, servo driven system. I would not recommend converting it to open loop (by modifying the servos to continuous rotation) as the servo will tend to creep left or right when the joystick is left in the center position. This is due to the very narrow deadband width that is programmed into the servo from the factory.

Is there an option to purchase the MPT1100-SS system without the controller?
I'm not sure how easy it would be but I'm wanting to operate it with a standard RC controller wirelessly.

I'm wanting to use it on a 15m mast so the lighter and smaller the better which is why the PT785-S Pan / Tilt head may be better for me.. Is there a way to convert this to an open looped system? What makes it a closed loop system? has something been done to the servos?

While we do not plan to offer a "cheesycam" discount :), we do have a Plug Promotion that you could take advantage of in order to get a discount on your order from us. Check it out here: http://www.servocity.com/html/promotions.html
ServoCity

@Diesel - Wait till you see more from this new Open Loop head from Servo City. There's some additional information I received that will surely interest people. It has some features that will integrate with some future upgrades to be able to control Zoom / Focus and more.

@Olphus - I have other news. The design is based on a Bowl Mount most Jib / Cranes support. If you don't have this, then you can get a bowl adapter. This is a prototype and i'll have more information on this soon. They are sending some additional stuff soon.

Just a little more info about the new system:
The Open Loop system will include the joystick controller, power supply, pan & tilt head, and 25' foot CAT6 cable (like shown in the video above). It is a complete ready-to-run unit and will retail for $649.99.

I have the closed loop system and it's very good. The build quality of the platform is top notch. I've been using it with a standard R/C remote control for testing with good results. The servos are noisy at full speed but quite quiet for subtle movements. Could be an issue if you're recording audio too close to the head.

With a proper Arduino based motion controller, I think either could work well for many applications with minimal manual control...the concept of a 3-axis sensor controlled auto-leveling jib head has crossed my mind several times. I bought mine to DIY a Gigapan head but the video applications were obvious as soon as I opened the box.

Just to clarify, the system shown in the video above is our NEW OPEN Loop system that is motor driven. It is not available yet online for purchase, but will be in the next few weeks.

The PT785-S system that is currently available for purchase on our website is a CLOSED loop system that is driven by HS-785HB servos. It does not come with joystick control. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our tech at tech@servocity.com. Thanks, ServoCity

Why, why, why do I come to this site? So, I can be broke again! Damn... I'm drooling already. So, how would you mount this on a jib, say the Kessler crane? Underslung via the plate with those threaded holes?

Emm...I'd been talking to them for a while about an update to the PT785-S System which must uses servos. Is this a replacement? Plus they were supposed to offer it with an open loop system. Any word on that?

@KC Gonzalez - Yeah I specifically told them what I wanted to do with a jib and a joystick controller. They were working on this for several weeks, so i'm excited to try this out. These guys make some crazy high quality stuff for sure.